Music

Music Notes

The Monash Youth Music Festival has successfully taken place over the last two weeks based at Huntingtower in the PAC and Music Centre. It was marvellous to be enveloped in the excitement of students from all over the state performing in our facilities. We had some representation at this festival, but due to clashes with other activities our involvement wasn’t as significant as I hope for it to be next year. In the large ensembles section, we presented our Middle School Orchestra and attained a 2nd place prize in somewhat difficult circumstances of minimal available rehearsal and some unfortunate absences on the day. Congratulations to the Middle School Orchestra. 

In addition, our Junior School Strings performed at the Victorian Schools Music Festival at the Hawthorn Arts Centre and played with superb musicality to be awarded a Gold Award. This event entails receiving comments and grading from two adjudicators of which on is an international expert, and after the performance the students receive a short workshop on stage by the adjudicator. The students were also able to be an audience to other groups which formed another part of the event’s valuable experiences. Congratulations to Mr Levit and the Junior School Strings. 

We have many musicians involved on stage and in the pit 0rchestra for Matilda – The Musical and we encourage everyone to come and see the show. We are extremely proud to be able to provide a rich and real experience for the 24 students (out of the 27-piece orchestra) who not only get to play the excellent Tim Minchin score but have consequently increased their contact time with their instrument (which in turns contributes so much to musical growth). 

Very soon after Matilda concludes, we have our long-awaited Gala Concert on the evening of Tuesday 30 August in our PAC. This event will feature all about and wonderful ensembles including choirs, orchestras, bands, percussion and guitar ensembles, concerto performance and a surprise massed-choir piece. Tickets are free and are available through TryBooking at the link here: https://www.trybooking.com/CBQKC 

We encourage guests to book early, as we have over 250 students involved in this concert, and we therefore anticipate a full house. We also ask that you don’t book more seats than you need, and return any unwanted tickets to allow others to access this concert. It will commence at 7:30pm and we anticipate a finish time of 9:30pm.  

A separate notification will soon be sent out via Consent2Go which contains all the necessary logistical information for the performers in the concert. There will also be another notification for members of the Senior Symphonic Band, Senior Symphony Orchestra, Middle School Orchestra and Senior Strings for their final rehearsals in the PAC during Sunday 28 August. Choirs will undertake their final PAC rehearsals in their regular rehearsal time slots.  

Mr David Mowat 

Head of Music